Wallboard positioning device



S. W. STOCKTON I WALLBOARD POSITIONING DEVICE May 4, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19, 1963 Samuel W; Stockton IN VENTOR.

y 4, 1965 s. w. STOCKTON 3,181,711

WALL BOARD POSITIONING DEVICE Filed July 19, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 46 Samuel W Stac /don d INVENTOR.

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WALLBOARD POS ITIONING DEVI CE Filed July 19, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Samuel W. Stockton 1N VENTOR.

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WWW 8% United States Patent Ofitice 3,181,711 Patented May 4, 1965 3,181,711 WALLBOARD IOSETEONING DEVICE Samuel W. Stockton, 317 Shelton Sh, Abilene, Tex. Filed July 19, 1%3, Ser. No. 296,231 6 Claims. (Cl. 214-4) The instant invention is generally concerned with the installation of wallboard, and is more particularly related to a device specifically adapted for facilitating the installation of such wallboard overhead in a manner so as to form a ceiling.

It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide a device which enables one man to quickly position and install a wallboard without the normally required assistance of a second person or helper.

Another highly significant object of the instant invention is to provide a wallboard positioning device which can also be utilized so as to transport a plurality of wallboards from one location to another, the device, along with a plurality of vertically orientated wallboards, being of a size so as to pass easily through all conventional door openings.

In addition, inasmuch as the device of the instant invention is to include a lift frame having a horizontal upper surface upon which the wallboard is positioned, it is also significant that the present invention contemplates the provision of means for raising, with a minimum amount of effort, a vertically oriented wallboard for positioning upon the upper horizontal surface of the lift frame.

The instant invention also contemplates in the incorporation of counterbalance means tending to counteract a major portion of the weight of the lift frame thereby requiring only a minimum amount of effort so as to position the wallboard in a vertically raised orientation.

Likewise, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a simple though highly unique device incorporating a single lifting means capable of raising a vertically orientated wallboard for a horizontal positioning on the lift frame, and subsequently raising the lift frame with the wallboard located horizontally upon the upper surface thereof.

Also, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a wallboard positioning device incorporating a horizontally adjustable extension at the lower end thereof so as to facilitate the use of the device for installing wallboard on vertical surfaces.

Further, it is intended that the device of the instant invention consists of open tubular frame-like units so as to obtain the maximum de ree of rigidity with a minimum amount of weight.

Also, it is intended that the wallboard positioning device of the instant invention, being made of tubular members, be readily dismantled for easy storage and transportation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the wallboard positioning device in its lowered position;

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view of the upper end of the device with the supporting means for a vertically orientated wallboard being illustrated in its raised position for orientation of the wallboard prior to its positioning upon the horizontal surface of the lift frame;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the positioning device in its extended position orientating a wallboard for application to a ceiling structure;

FIGURE 4 is a partial plan view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an exploded partial perspective view of the lift frame position of the device;

FIGURE 6 is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 66 in FIG URE 1;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 7-7 in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 8-8 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 99 in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 1010 in FIGURE 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, reference numeral 24 is used to generally designate the wallboard positioning device comprising the instant invention. This device consists basically of a lower upright base unit 22 and an upper lift frame unit 24 vertically adjustable relative to the base unit 22 for the raising of a wallboard 26.

The base 22, rectangular in shape, includes vertically orientated hollow tubular members 28 rigidly interconnccted at their upper and lower ends by pairs of elongated longitudinally extending tubular members 3% and pairs of shorter transversely extending tubular members 32, suitably threaded connectors 34 being provided so as to releasably interlock the various members into a rigid framework.

Inasmuch as the wallboard positioning device 20 is to be mobile, a pair of wheel mounting bars 34 are adjustably mounted on the lower pair of longitudinal members 39 by, for example, U-shaped bolts 36 which enable a longitudinal adjustment of the wheels 38 as might he demanded under various circumstances. Each of the wheels 33, as will be appreciated from FIGURE 7, is to be of the swivel type whereby movement of the entire device 26 in any direction is possible.

Extending vertically between the upper and lower pairs of longitudinal members at the midpoints along the length thereof are a pair of vertically extending guide rods 4%), these guide rods 40 being rigidly although releasably orientated.

Slidably mounted on the guide rods 40, through suitable tubular collars 42 receiving the guide rods 40 therethrough, are a pair of elongated fiat wallboard support members 44 each having a pair of upstanding retaining lugs 46 thereon, a transversely extending shaft 48 rigid with the collar means 42 functioning as a lift bar as will be pointed out presently. These support members 44 each provide a dual function, that of supporting a plurality of vertically orientated wallboards 26, in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1, during the transportation thereof, and, with reference to FIGURE 2, as a means for raising, in conjunction with a block and tackle means 50, a vertically orientated wallboard 26 for horizontal positioning upon the lift frame 24. The block and tackle means 50 consists of a pair of blocks 52 and 54, the block 52 being secured at the midpoint of the transverse shaft 48 and the block 54 being secured to a transversely extending rod 56 exending between the upper rod member 30 parallel to the shaft 48, a suitable tackle 58 being engaged t-hereabout, the entire means 50 being operable manually in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3.

In order to stabilize the wallboards 26 during the transportation thereof when vertically orientated as shown in FIGURE 1, it is contemplated that rotatably mounted lower and upper hooks 60 and 62 be provided, the lower support hooks so being orientated in the same plane as' i f I 3,181,711,

the support plate members 44 in its lowermost position with the support hooks 62 downwardly directed as will be appreciated from the drawings, being located so as to engage the upper edges of the wallboards 26, these hooks 62 being vertically movable in addition to being rotatable so as to allow for the engagement of the wallboards 26 thereunder. showing of themanner in which the upper support hooks 62 are mounted, these support hooks including a collar .64 slidably mounted on thetubular member28 which is in turn provided with a stop pin 66 limiting the downward movement of the support hook 62. Mounted on one end of the rectangular base 22 and extensible and retractable in a horizontal plane is a U-shaped'extension member 68 having the legs 70 thereof telescopically received FIGURE is of interest for its 1 4 provided with laterally projecting tabs 94 having suitable pull lines extending therefrom to the end of the device 26 whereby the user of the device need merely pull on the pull lines 96 to effect a rotational disengagement of the hooks 88 along with a slightraising of the lift frame 24 through the block and tackle assembly'50.

border to facilitate the raising of. the lift frame 24 with a wallboard'26 mounted horizontally upon the upper surface thereof, the instant invention contemplates the having one endthereof connected to one of the upper transversely extending members 32,.each spring 98 having a block or pulley 100 mounted on the opposite end therewithin the ends of the lower pair of longitudinal, members through suitable apertures in the connecting members 34,;this being illustrated in detail in FIGURE 8. This extension 68, while also usable. as a means for supporting vertically orientated wallboard during the transportation thereof, is'more particularly provided for use in facilitating the mounting of a wallboard 26 in a vertical position,

such as for example against wall studs.

In order to facilitate the movement of the entire device 30, it will be noted that pairs of handles 72 are provided at both ends thereof, these handles 72 being rotatably ods of non-use.

The lift frame 24, also constructed of rod-like or'tubu- T la'r members releasably though rigidly interconnected by suitable connectors 7 6, includes four vertical members 78, each telescopically received ,within the upper end of one of the tubular members 28 of the base 22,'these members 78 being ofsiufi lcient length so as to enable a raising,

in a manner which shall be discussed presently, of the lift frame 24 relative to'the base 22 so as to accommodate a variety of different height ceilings. Interconnecting the upper ends of the members 78 are longitudinal rod-like members 80 and transverse rod-like members 82 so as to form a substantially flat upper surface up'on which the wallboard 26 is to be positioned for the raising thereof into engagement with the, for example, ceiling joists in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 3. v I

In order to effect this raising of the wallboard by a raising of'the lift frame 24, a second lift bar or lift shaft 84 is provided just below and parallel'to the lift shaft 48, the lift bar 84 being rigidly connected to the transversely extending lift frame rods 82 by two sets of upwardly diverging rigid rods 86 which are located inwardly of the.

longitudinal members 80 so as not to interfere with teleat the work area, all but one of the wallboards 26 are removed and leaned in a convenient location. Next, the

V thereofas illustrated in FIGURE 2, elongated elastic scoping of the lift frame 24 into the base 22. The actual lifting of the lift frame 24 is effected through'the afore:

mentioned block and tackle means .50 by the utilization of releasable connecting means between the lift shaft'48' and the lift bar 84, this means 'consisting of a pair of;

hooks 88 rotatably mounted on the liftshaft'48 and en- 7 gageable beneath the lift bar 84 whereby the lift bar 84,

and the entire lift frame 24 rigid therewith, is upon en? gagement of the hooks 88, automatically raisedalong with r the lift shaft 48. Incidentally, in order to maintain the device 20 with the lift'frame 24 in itsraised position, suitable cleats 9 0 are provided about which the tackle 50 may be conveniently engaged. While not having been specifically illustrated, itshould be appreciated that; the

lift bar 84 can be extended slightly beyond the connector members 92 securing it to the diverging rods .86 with the extending ends having tubular collars thereon for sliding engagement about the guide rods 40 in the same manner as the collars 42 so as to introduce an increased stability,

into the device. Further, inasmuch as the lift shaft 48 itself.

of. A second block or pulley 102'is rotatably aflixed to one of the upper; longitudinally extending members 30 horizontally aligned with 'the spring 98 and spaced from the pulley 109. Finally, a cable 104, in regard to each ofthe counterbalance assemblies, is provided in a taut condition with one end 106 affixed to the longitudinal member 30 adjacent the pulley 102 and with the other end 108 affixed to the lift bar- 84, this cable 104 being wound about bothlpulleys 190 and,102 and of course introducing a tension into the spring 98.

Inusing the wallboard positioning device 20 of the instant invention, one first, with reference to FIGURE 1, stacks a plurality ofwallboards 26 vertically upon one or both of-the support, plates 44 and lower support books 60 and engages the upper edges of the Wallboards 26 with the upper support hooks 62 after'which the entire unit is conveniently wheeled to the Work area. After arriving single remaining wallboard 26 is elevated by the block and tackle means 50 raising the lifting shaft 48 and support plate 44, the support hooks 62 having been disengaged and rotated. out of'the way and the interlocking hooks 88 having been disengaged through the pull lines 96 so as to leave theliftfframe 24 in its lowered position.

In order to stabilize therwallboard 26 during the raising means 110 areprovided, these elastic means having one end thereof secured to suitable pegs 112 provided in a projecting manner from the upper end of the lift frame 24 on the side thereof opposite from the side upon which the wallboard- 26 is being lifted, thiselastic means 110 being releas-ably engaged with the upper edge of the wallboard 26 through suitable U-shaped clamp members 114 whereby the upper edge of the wallboard 26 is biased rearwardly against the device and the wallboard .26 is' prevented from falling forwardly. It will also be appreciated that this elastic means 110 will also assist in moving the wallboard'from' its vertical position to its desired horizontalposition upon the upper surface of the lift frame '24 upon the raising of the vertically orientated wallboard 26 to the desiredheight. After the wallboard 26 has been horizontally positioned upon the upper surface of the lift frame 24, the lift shaft 48 is lowered and the hooks 88 engaged withthe lift bar 84 whereby a subsequent raising ofthe'lift shaft 48 also effects a raising of the lift frame 24,. this raising being efiected through both the block and tackle means 50 and the counterbalance means. The wallboard '26 is raised into engagement with, for

example, the ceiling joists'with the tackle. 58 tied to the cleats 9 0 so as to enable the nailing of the, wallboard 26 to the joists after which the lift. frame is lowered and the above operation repeated with another wallboard.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the, principles of the invention; Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, his not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a wallboard positioning device, an upright base, a lift frame mounted on and vertically adjustable relative to said base, said lift frame having a substantially flat wallboard receiving upper surface, wallboard support means on at least one side of the device, means for vertically moving said supporting means, with a vertically positioned wallboard thereon, relative to the lift frame so as to assist in positioning the wallboard on the lift frame upper surface, and means for enabling a vertical adjustment of the lift frame relative to the base so as to enable at raising of the wallboard, said base including vertical guide means, said supporting means being slidably mounted on said guide means, said means for vertically moving the supporting means being operatively connected between a fixed portion of the base and the supporting means, said lift frame including a depending portion rigid therewith and located below the supporting means, said means for enabling a vertical adjustment of the lift frame comprising means selectively and releasably interconnecting said support means and the lift frame depending portion whereby the means for vertically moving the support means will also effect a movement of the lift frame.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said base includes four tubular uprights and said lift frame includes four depending rods telescopically adjustable therein.

3. The device of claim 1 including means counteracting a portion of the weight of the lift frame so as to facilitate the raising of said lift frame.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said means for vertically moving the supporting means comprises block and tackle means.

5. The device of claim 3 including means for stabilizing the wallboard during the raising thereof on said supporting means.

6. The device of claim 5 including wheel means on said base, and a horizontally extensible and retractable extension on said base capable of stably supporting a vertically orientated wallboard.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,618,557 2/27 Sims.

2,443,349 6/48 Foster.

2,677,580 5/54 Minzenmayer.

2,832,479 4/58 Ottaway.

3,058,602 10/62 Kilman.

3,104,769 9/63 Phillips 214-1 HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WALLBOARD POSITIONING DEVICE, AN UPRIGHT BASE, A LIFT FRAME MOUNTED ON AND VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE RELATIVE TO SAID BASE, SAID LIFT FRAME HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT WALLBOARD RECEIVING UPPRT SURFACE, WALLBOARD SUPPORT MEANS ON AT LEAST ONE SIDE OF THE DEVICE, MEANS FOR VERTICALLY MOVING SAID SUPPORTING MEANS, WITH A VERTICALLY POSITIONED WALLBOARD THEREON, RELATIVE TO THE LIFT FRAME SO AS TO ASSIST IN POSITIONING THE WALLBOARD ON THE LIFT FRAME UPPER SURFACE, AND MEANS FOR ENABLING A VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE LIFT FRAME RELATIVE TO THE BASE SO AS TO ENABLE A RAISING OF THE WALLBORD, SAID BASE INCLUDING VERTICAL GUIDE MEANS, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS BEING SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEANS, SAID MEANS FOR VERTICALLY MOVING THE SUPPORTING MEANS BEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN A FIXED PORTION OF THE BASE AND THE SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID LIFT FRAME INCLUDING A DEPENDING POR TION RIGID THEREWITH AND LOCATED BELOW THE SUPPORTING MEANS, SAID MEANS FOR ENABLING A VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE LIFT FRAME COMPRISING MEANS SELECTIVELY AND RELEASABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND THE LIFT FRAME DEPENDING PORTION WHEREBY THE MEANS FOR VERTICALLY MOVING THE SUPPORT MEANS WILL ALSO EFFECT A MOVEMENT OF THE LIFT FRAME. 